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Golden Spike Monument (Obelisk)
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This commemorative monument, erected at the last spike site by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company circa 1917, was relocated for more conspicuous display on various occasions. It is currently located immediately east of the visitor center.
Originally, the monument contained an inscription that was inset on the concrete structure. Because of vandalism, the original inscription was covered over. The current plaque was placed on the monument by the National Park Service. It reads:
"THE LAST RAIL IS LAID, THE LAST SPIKE IS DRIVEN. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD IS COMPLETED." HERE AT PROMONTORY, UTAH AT 12:47 P.M., ON MAY 10, 1869, |
THE DRIVING OF A GOLDEN SPIKE COMPLETED THE FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. CLIMAX OF A DRAMATIC RAILROAD-BUILDING RACE BETWEEN THE UNION PACIFIC BUILDING FROM THE EAST AND THE CENTRAL PACIFIC BUILDING FROM THE WEST. THIS EVENT SYMBOLIZED THE ATTAINMENT OF A LONG SOUGHT GOAL-A DIRECT TRANSPORTATION ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND THE CHINA TRADE. AND IT ACHIEVED THE GREAT POLITICAL OBJECTIVE OF BINDING TOGETHER BY IRON BANDS THE EXTREMITIES OF CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, A RAIL LINK FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN." |
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